Local franchisers to address ASEAN integration

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The country’s franchisers will gather this week to address challenges posed by the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into one single market by 2015.

Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) chairman emeritus Samie Lim said local franchisers should address the issue, which could impact on their competitiveness.

Members of the PFA will gather from July 17 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center for the Franchise Asia Philippines 2013, a premier event that will also bring franchise players from the international fronts for a valuable sharing of global best practices.

Lim, who is also the president and chief executive of Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, BLIMS Fine Furniture and Automatic Centre, said the PFA has invited speakers from Malaysia who will discuss what they have done to make their franchising industry competitive.

He said Malaysian franchisers are also seen to expand their businesses in the country.

"This year's edition of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 will also include discussions on global franchising trends and what franchisers can do to stay competitive," said Franklin Go, vice president of Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. and overall chairman of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013.

PFA president and WenPhil Corp. chairman Elizabeth “Yvette” Pardo-Orbeta said the franchise show will give franchisers especially those who want to expand abroad a chance to retool themselves.

"Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 will allow franchisers to learn where they can improve. We want our local franchising industry to become one of the front runners in the world," Orbeta stressed.

The Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 will also offer a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program which will run on July 15 to 16.

"The CFE program is a mini-MBA professional development program that is duly accredited by the US-based Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE)," said PFA vice chairman Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal-Limjoco.